Lamp display stand

ABSTRACT

Lamp display stand having a body that has within it at least one cavity large enough to receive a lamp base. A lamp base enters a cavity through an opening. A lamp pole, which is connected to the lamp base, exits through a slot in the top surface of the stand body. The lamp pole and base fit flush within, respectively, the slot and the cavity, thereby restricting the angle of movement of the lamp. The stand can also have a notched shelf for restricting the lamp pole intermediate between the lamp base and the lamp head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of productdisplay. More specifically, the invention relates to a display stand forlamps, preferably floor lamps.

[0002] The bases of floor lamps generally possess no more surface areathan is necessary to maintain the lamps in an upright position whilethey stand undisturbed in the corner of an office or residential room.Typically, floor lamps can withstand only moderate impacts withouttipping over. Their level of tipping resistance is insufficient for someretail environments in which lamps are displayed in crowded aisles andin the midst of customer foot traffic.

[0003] Unlike the consumer end use environment, lamps in the retailenvironment are displayed in close proximity to other lamps. Thisfurther underscores the importance of tipping resistance in that groupsof standing lamps are vulnerable to mass damage via the domino effect.Furthermore, when in close proximity to other lamps, lamps need not betipped completely over to be damaged or cause damage. Rather, slightrocking may cause their shades (many of which are glass) to strike eachother.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,460 to Strickland discloses a lamp holder fora table lamp. The design of the '460 invention is different from that ofthe present invention. While the invention of the '460 patent fulfillsits objectives and requirements, it does not, among other things,describe or suggest a lamp holder that is suitable for a floor lamp in aretail environment.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,764 to Strickland discloses a lamp base andlamp base kit for use by a consumer. The design of the '764 invention isalso different from that of the present invention. While the inventionof the '764 patent fulfills its objectives and requirements, it doesnot, among other things, describe or suggest a lamp holder that issuitable for a high volume retail environment.

[0006] It should be appreciated that there exists a continuing need fora new and improved lamp display stand that furnishes excellent tippingresistance; is suitable for the retail environment; and facilitates thesecure, orderly and decorative display of multiple lamps while at thesame time facilitating easy mounting and dismounting of lamps from thedisplay stand. In this regard, the present invention substantiallyfulfills these needs and others.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to a lamp display stand having aholder body that contains at least one cavity large enough to receive alamp base. A lamp base enters the cavity through at least one sideopening in the holder body. A lamp pole, which is connected to the lampbase, enters through at least one slot opening above the cavity. Theslot opening, which is cut into the top surface of the holder body, iscontiguous with the side opening. It is also contiguous with andnarrower than the cavity. The bottom surface of the holder body iscapable of being maintained in stable relation with a support surface,such as a floor.

[0008] In preferred embodiments, the lamp display stand has a pluralityof cavities, side openings and slot openings. They may vary in distancefrom one another so that product boxes and other materials may bedisplayed between the received lamps in a non-monotonous manner.

[0009] In preferred embodiments, the slot openings are narrow enoughthat the angle of movement of the lamp poles is restricted. Thisprevents a received lamp from striking adjacent lamps. To so prevent,the slot openings must be about 2 to 4 inches wide, most preferably 3inches. The height of the cavities may also, if low enough, restrict theangle of movement of the lamp base, such that a received lamp cannotstrike adjacent lamps. To do so, the height of the interior of thecavities must be approximately 2 to 5 inches, preferably 2-¾ inches.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the lamp display stand holds aplurality of floor or torchiere lamps. It comprises, when fullyassembled, a substantially box-shaped holder body having a length of 4to 30 feet, a width of 12 to 36 inches and a height of 3 to 7 inches.The holder body contains 4 to 10 cavities, each of which has a length of6 to 26 inches, a width of 8 to 16 inches and a height of 3 to 4 inches.The side openings into each of the cavities have a length of 8 to 16inches and a width of 3 to 4 inches. On its top side, the holder bodyalso has a slot opening over and into each of the cavities. The slotopenings have a length of 6 to 26 inches, a width of 2 to 4 inches and adepth of 1 to 2 inches.

[0011] In another exemplary embodiment, the lamp display standcomprises, when fully assembled (meaning assembled from segments into alength likely to be used in a retail environment), a substantiallybox-shaped holder body having a length of 20 feet, a width of 22 inchesand a height of 5 inches. The holder body contains 8 cavities. Thecavities have a length of 12 inches, a width of 12 inches and a heightof 3 inches. Each cavity has a lateral side opening into it. Each sideopening has a length of 12 inches and a width of 2-¾ inches. Each cavityalso has above it a slot opening. The slot openings have a length of 12inches, a width of 3 inches and a depth of 1-½ inches. The lamp displaystand may be constructed of metal, plastic, wood, laminate orfiberboard, preferably fiberboard, most preferably medium densityfiberboard.

[0012] The lamp stand can also include an intermediary shelf between thebase and the head of a torchiere of floor lamp. The intermediary shelfcan be used to store additional lamp boxes and can include slots toreceive the lamp stems intermediate between the base and the top of thelamp.

[0013] Also disclosed are various embodiments of a lamp accessoryshowcase. The showcase comprises a showcase body having a substantiallybox-like six-sided shape. The open side defines the front of theshowcase. The showcase body also has a bottom wall, a top wall, a backwall and two vertical walls.

[0014] The showcase contains a plurality of substantially box-likepartitions. The partitions share with the showcase body the open front,the bottom wall, the top wall, the back wall and the two vertical walls.The partitions also have sides that are not shared with the showcasebody, namely, inner horizontal and vertical sides. The partitions varyin shape and dimension, from large rectangular boxes to small cubes. Thedimensions range from a width of 6-½ to 12 inches, a depth of 18 to 22inches and a height of approximately 10 to 20 inches. The varied shapesand dimensions facilitate the proximate display of dissimilarly shapedlamp parts and accessories. In other words, the showcase facilitates thedisplay, in a single structure, of various lamp shades, stems, bases,bodies and even entire desk lamps.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the angles defined by the top frontcorners of the two vertical walls of the showcase body are slightlygreater than 90 degrees, preferably 91 to 94 degrees, most preferably92.39 degrees. Accordingly, the angles defined by the bottom frontcorners of the two vertical walls are slightly less than 90 degrees,preferably 86 to 89 degrees, most preferably 87.61 degrees. One purposeof the obtuse top corners and the acute bottom corners is to allow lightto better reach the displayed items. Another is to facilitate thereaching of items, insofar as it is difficult for customers to reachboth high and deep.

[0016] To match the gradual narrowing of the vertical walls of theshowcase body, the front edges of the inner vertical sides of thepartitions are defined by a similarly acute trajectory. Otherwise, thefront edges of the vertical sides of the partitions would begin, movingfrom bottom to top, to jut out past the ever narrowing vertical walls ofthe showcase body.

[0017] In the preferred embodiment of the showcase, the showcase body ismade from fiberboard and assembled by means of clips. The segments fromwhich the fully assembled structure is constructed are preferably 17-½to 48 inches long, 58 to 72 inches high, and 15 to 19-{fraction (9/16)}inches wide at the top and 21 to 23 inches wide at the bottom. Whenfully assembled, the showcase body is preferably 11 feet 3 inches to 12feet long, 58 to 72 inches high, and 15 to 19 inches wide at the top and21 to 23 inches wide at the bottom. The showcase body and partitions maybe constructed of metal, plastic, wood, laminate or fiberboard,preferably fiberboard, most preferably medium density fiberboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In describing a preferred embodiment of the present invention,reference is made to the appended drawings in which:

[0019]FIG. 1 illustrates a segment of an exemplary embodiment of thelamp display stand.

[0020]FIG. 2 illustrates a number of segments assembled into anexemplary embodiment of the lamp display stand.

[0021]FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary segment of lamp accessoryshowcase.

[0022]FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative exemplary embodiment of a lampaccessory showcase.

[0023]FIG. 5 illustrates a display stand according to the presentinvention with a number of torchieres in position in the stand.

[0024]FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary lamp showcase according to thepresent invention with a number of table lamps in position in theindividual case compartments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0025]FIG. 1 illustrates body segment 10 of a lamp display stand.Typically, a fully assembled display stand comprises a number of bodysegments of varying sizes connected together. Body segment 10 has withinit three cavities 15, which are large enough to receive a lamp base 14.The lamp base 14 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow A to entercavity 15 through the opening 20 at the end of the cavity 15. A lamppole 16 connected to lamp base 14, exits through slot 25 in top surface30 connected to cavity 15. Slots 25 extend from openings 20 and arecontiguous with, and narrower than, cavities 15. The bottom surface ofbody segment 10 is capable of being maintained in stable relation with asupport surface, such as a floor.

[0026]FIG. 2 illustrates a number of segments connected end to end toform a longer display stand. The lamp display stand 5, is constructed ofmedium density fiberboard and comprised of four varied body segments 10,11, 12 and 13. The stand 5 can be assembled at the retail store from theindividual segments to accommodate the retail space and the lamps to bedisplayed. The resultant stand configuration is endless, dependant onlyon the number and configuration of available segments.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, stand 5 has a length of twenty feet,a width of twenty-two inches and a height of five inches. Stand 5contains eight cavities 15. Cavities 15 each have a length of twelveinches, a width of twelve inches and a height of three inches. Stand 5also has an opening 20 into each cavity 15. Each opening 20 has a widthof twelve inches and a height of two and three-fourth inches. Cut intotop surface 30 is a slot 25 over each cavity 15. Each slot opening 25has a length of twelve inches, a width of three inches and a depth ofone and one-half inches.

[0028]FIG. 3 illustrates a segment of a preferred lamp accessoryshowcase. The open side defines the front of medium-size showcasesegment 30. Medium-size showcase segment 30 also has top wall 31, twoside walls 32, a bottom wall and a back wall. The front edges of sidewalls 32 angle back toward the rear wall two to five degrees fromvertical. Segment 30 contains twenty-five, box-shaped compartments. Thecompartments provide separated locations for retail display objects.FIG. 4 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of the lamp accessoryshowcase. The extended case 40 is comprised of a number of case segments41, 42, 43, 44 assembled end to end.

[0029]FIG. 5 illustrates a number of torchiere lamps 51 held in positionby the display stand 50 of the present invention. A number of torchieres51 of different styles with bases 14 inserted into cavities 15 aresupported at various spacing along stand 50. The spacing between thetorchieres 51 allows for placing of product boxes 52 between the lamps51 and also supported by stand 50. Stand 50 also includes anintermediate shelf 53 which can accommodate additional product boxes 52and/or accessories 54

[0030]FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention with a back 61 and a shelf 62 similar to stand 50. However,shelf 62 has a plurality of notches 63 to accommodate the lamp stems 16of the torchiere floor lamps 51. Positioning lamp stems 16 withinnotches 63 helps to maintain the stability of lamps 51 and to avoidcontact and damage between adjacent lamps 51. Limiting the movement oflamps 51 not only reduces potential damage but also allows for closerspacing of lamps to allow increased product in a given retail space.

[0031] The foregoing presentation is not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention. Although an illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention is described in detail with reference to accompanyingdrawings, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that modificationsto the invention described can be implemented in many other designs. Byway of example, the lamp display stand could contain far more cavitiesthan are expressly illustrated herein. Or, each cavity could have twoside openings, one on each lateral side, thereby facilitating use of theinvention from both sides. Each cavity could also have two slotopenings, one on the “bottom” side of the holder body and one on the“top” side. This would allow the top and bottom sides of the holder bodyto be used interchangeably. Further, each cavity and slot could me muchlonger than are herein expressly illustrated. For example, they could belengthened so as to be capable of receiving six lamps in a singlecavity. Further, the shape of the holder body could be something otherthan a box. For example, it could be circular or pyramidal.

[0032] These and many other various changes and embodiments may beeffected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention, which is intended to be determined by referenceto the claims and their equivalent in light of the prior art.

We claim:
 1. A display stand for floor lamps having a base and a pole,comprising: a body having at least one cavity large enough to receive alamp base; at least one opening into said cavity; at least one slotextending through a top surface of said body and into said cavity. 2.The lamp display stand of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality ofcavities, a plurality of openings each associated with a respective oneof said cavities; and a plurality of slots configured to accommodate alamp pole, each associated with a respective one of said cavities. 3.The lamp display stand of claim 2, wherein said slot openings are narrowenough that the angle of movement of received lamp poles is restrictedsuch that a received lamp cannot strike adjacent lamps.
 4. The lampdisplay stand of claim 3, wherein each of said slot openings is 2 to 4inches wide.
 5. The lamp display stand of claim 4, wherein each of saidslot openings is 3 inches wide.
 6. The lamp display stand of claim 2,wherein the height of said cavities is low enough that the angle ofmovement of received lamp bases is restricted such that a received lampcannot strike adjacent lamps.
 7. The lamp display stand of claim 6,wherein the height of each of said cavities is 2 to 5 inches.
 8. Thelamp display stand of claim 7, wherein the height of each of saidcavities is 2-¾ inches.
 9. The lamp display stand of claim 2, whereinthe distances between some of said cavities and other of said cavitiesvary.
 10. The lamp display stand of claim 2, wherein said body issubstantially box-shaped.
 11. The lamp display stand of claim 2, whereinsaid holder body is substantially circular.
 12. A display stand forfloor lamps having a base and a pole, comprising: a plurality ofseparable segments, each segment comprising: a body having at least onecavity large enough to receive a lamp base; at least one opening intosaid cavity; at least one slot configured to accommodate a lamp pole,extending through a top surface of said body and into said cavity.
 13. Adisplay stand for torchiere lamps, comprising: a horizontally extendingstand base; having at least one cavity large enough to receive atorchiere base; and at least one slot configured to accommodate atorchiere vertical stem, extending through a top surface of said standbase and into said cavity; a vertically extending back wall connected tosaid base and extending to a height greater than half the height of saidtorchiere lamps; an intermediate shelf attached to said back wallbetween said stand base and the top of said wall and extendinghorizontally from said back wall.
 14. A display stand according to claim13, further comprising: at least one notch in said intermediate shelfcorresponding to and aligned vertically above said slot in said standbase.
 15. A display stand according to claim 14, wherein: said base as aplurality of cavities and slots and said intermediate shelf has acorresponding plurality of notches aligned with respective ones of saidplurality of slots.